RIO DE JANEIRO – The Brazilian army carried out on Tuesday a mega-operation involving over 1,900 security personnel in several communities in the western zone of Rio de Janeiro, resulting in one dead, two suspects arrested and one minor detained, according to official sources.

The operation took place in the Antares and Rola favela complexes, west of Rio. The Army followed court orders to verify allegations of criminal practices and made some 950 reviews of people and vehicles in the area.

According to the Army Joint Command, three barricades were destroyed by traffickers and militias. Three cars and three motorcycles that had been stolen were recovered during the operation.

The military also confiscated two pistols, ammunition and three radio communication devices.

The region has been plunged into violence since the end of July due to a dispute between traffickers and militias over the control of drug sales in the area.

The operation, which involved supports from the police as well as aircraft, tanks and armored cars, was carried out in accordance with a federal intervention order signed by President Michel Temer on Feb. 16, which put the military in charge of security in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Enter your email address to subscribe to free headlines (and great cartoons so every email has a happy ending!) from the Latin American Herald Tribune: